Gallien-Krueger MB2-500

[Gtrslngr]

The only reason I expressed interest in a combo is because I thought it might be more economical to get amp and head in a package. I am expecting to eventually need to purchase a new cab to go with the eventual new amp head and when I told my wife I would need a new cab to go with the new head, her eyes rolled back and her head spun around.

 

[DaveKirkpatrick]

The only reason I expressed interest in a combo is because I thought it might be more economical to get amp and head in a package. I am expecting to eventually need to purchase a new cab to go with the eventual new amp head and when I told my wife I would need a new cab to go with the new head, her eyes rolled back and her head spun around.

Oh....I've seen that look

 

[Hizzoner]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hizzoner View Post
more info on the mb2500? I am very interested in this amp.(no disrespect to the other topics being discussed on this thread) and how it relates to others like the shuttle

thanks
Mark
What specifically are you looking for. This thread has pictures, soundclips and several reviews...

I did not question the previous posts, and have found them helpful and educational.. I was/am hoping for as much input as possible from as many sources as possible before making a decision..and prefer less information that is not focused on the topic

Thanks for your contributions and your concern

Mark

 

[dean owens]

The only reason I expressed interest in a combo is because I thought it might be more economical to get amp and head in a package. I am expecting to eventually need to purchase a new cab to go with the eventual new amp head and when I told my wife I would need a new cab to go with the new head, her eyes rolled back and her head spun around.

that plays a part for me as well. i'm married to someone who does not play an instrument and doesn't understand the cost and space needed. my home will be much happier with an all in one. along with all the other stuff i've typed.

 

[thejohnkim]

I dont really see a need for GK to be dealing with more SKU's from making a combo. GK will jsut be spreading itself too thin when people can just slap the mb2 500 into their gig bag pocket, or pant pocket, increasing cost on their side for an option not many people will opt for. i mean, if anything you can sell a metal bracket that will screw into a GK cab to make something like the Shuttle series from GB, but I never saw the point in those things either. I'm able to throw in a shuttle and lm ii into my gig bag pocket with ease. the mb2 500 is even smaller than them.

 

[RBASS930]

I say forget the combo, just work on making the next version of the MB2-500 even smaller.

 

[jasper383]

I say forget the combo, just work on making the next version of the MB2-500 even smaller.

Yes! Think: matchbook.

 

[tallboybass]

YIKES!!!!!

I just got home with the MB²-500 and plugged it into what was set up.....Avatar210Delta on a Trace 1518C standing vertical to make a tall skinny stack. I GAVE MYSELF A HEADACHE!!! It gets STOOPID loud with MONDO lows. I had to dial back the lows and low mids to keep from wetting myself! The overall voicing with everything flat is pretty dark to me. I'm a big Shuttle fan and love that sound, but volume-wise this thing feels like it will blow your pants off! The only power comparison I can make is to the MB SD800 which is 750 watts.

Sorry to go overboard here but I haven't felt this kind of power in a long time. I used to own a 1001RB-II and this amp feels like it's in that league.

I'll do some more testing after my headache goes away...

Alan

 

[rag]

YIKES!!!!!

I just got home with the MB²-500 and plugged it into what was set up.....Avatar210Delta on a Trace 1518C standing vertical to make a tall skinny stack. I GAVE MYSELF A HEADACHE!!! It gets STOOPID loud with MONDO lows. I had to dial back the lows and low mids to keep from wetting myself! The overall voicing with everything flat is pretty dark to me. I'm a big Shuttle fan and love that sound, but volume-wise this thing feels like it will blow your pants off! The only power comparison I can make is to the MB SD800 which is 750 watts.

Sorry to go overboard here but I haven't felt this kind of power in a long time. I used to own a 1001RB-II and this amp feels like it's in that league.

I'll do some more testing after my headache goes away...

Alan

Try setting the Treble, High Mid and Low Mid at 1:00, leave the bass at 12:00, Contour off or to please. I'm curious what you think?

 

[spideyjg]

Here was my take posted on BABP......

OK the real review. Compared it with my 400RB, Epifani 1X12, and my honeyburst 2K.

It doesn't cope as well with the hot output of the 2K as the 400RB does. Turns out I have to engage the 10db pad on the thing to avoid distorting on hard hit notes. Sticking my BBE DI-100X in the front alleviated some of the sonic suffering due to the pad usage. I hate using padded inputs.

The bass is a bit fatter so to get a similar sound I had to back off the bass by comparison. Same thing goes for the boost. If you look in the pictures you can see the bass is back about 1.5 to 2 hours and the boost back about 3 hours. Engaging the 10db pad on the 400RB they sound damn near the same like this. ( That is a good thing Mr. Gallien.)

It does get stoopid loud, more so than I could test tonight.

More to come after further testing but it is a keeper at 3lbs 12 oz.

I want to run it into both the Epifani and Aguilar to see how a 4 ohm load works with it. The 400RB opens up at 4 ohms so the MB2 should be interesting.

Someone asked on the fan, it is variable and unless needed to cool it down it will be off. The headphone output doesn't shut off the speaker out when used. I'll need to retest the headphone out because I hadn't yet figured out the boost thing so I was farting out the phones.

Jim

 

[tallboybass]

Try setting the Treble, High Mid and Low Mid at 1:00, leave the bass at 12:00, Contour off or to please. I'm curious what you think?

Thank you Mr. Gallien for taking time to help us with your products.

I ended up going with Treble and High Mid at 1:30, Low Mid at noon and Bass at 11-11:30 with Boost at 11:30. Contour off (not a scooper). I could hardly crack the Master B knob without getting real loud real quick....Gain at noon. This produced an amazing sound with my Fretless StingRay.

I just bought this amp more to check it out than anything....I've been VERY happy with my Shuttle 6.0-12T. So far though I'm quite impressed with the MB², can't wait to try it on a gig!

PS - Bob, you really should think about making a combo with this head and a 12" speaker....if it could be at or under 30 pounds I'll bet you'd sell LOTS.

Thanks, Alan

 

[Jerry Ziarko]

Looks like my next amp......

 

[JanusZarate]

haha i know what you mean. but say you're playing at a club and you have a 20 min. break between sets, you probably will go and talk to people, or get a drink or something, where you wouldn't be able to guard your gear.

Yeah. Especially since some venues do want you to set up offstage.

But IMO, the same risk exists for your bass. Although this head is tiny in comparison and a little easier to swipe unnoticed, your bass could still just as easily be stolen.

But of course, if you have a few hardcore fans on your side... I'd love to see said thief make it out the back door without getting intimate with the floor, the walls, and a few knuckled body parts.

Or for that matter, what are their chances of getting off the stage in one piece if they try it? :scowl:

Ooops! Did I just say that? Er, I meant, leave it to the authorities. It would be wrong to take matters into your own hands...

I see you've had a client or two who's tried this.

Or did you mean...

I'm kidding, anyway. I'm a law student. I have ethics to adhere to.

During the day, at least.

 

[cabrego]

I used mine with my goliath senior at an outdoors gig last night and I had to turn down the low quite a bit. I think I finally found "my sound" after 17 years, eleven bass heads later.

 

[tallboybass]

I used mine with my goliath senior at an outdoors gig last night and I had to turn down the low quite a bit. I think I finally found "my sound" after 17 years, eleven bass heads later.

Yes this amp has lots of low-end WHUMP. You guys who like lots of booty should love the MB²500!!!

 

[deekay911]

I used the MB2 at a loud practice last night. I spent some time trying to find the tone, ended up with the Bass turned down quite a bit, it is very boomy with my Neox212T at anything over 50% volume. I have to say I couldn't make it cut through the mix like my Shuttle 6.0. The Shuttle, from the start, at many different tone settings, was able to be heard clearly, in a way I had rarely heard before. The GK can't do that, it's like all the others in that respect. Maybe its the amp/cab pairing, maybe its my fingers. It may work for you, for sure its a fine amp and innovative design, but it looks like mine is going into the classifieds. This was the acid test for me.

 

[MikeyB]

I'm getting the vibe that these mb2s might just be a little too boomy. If so, I'll be very disappointed.

I played it thru the GK 410 neo, with lows rolled off, and it was nice. But on some other 810 cabs it was WAY to much down low and I couldnt' dial it out.

More testing is in order...

 

[B String]

I'm getting the vibe that these mb2s might just be a little too boomy. If so, I'll be very disappointed.

I played it thru the GK 410 neo, with lows rolled off, and it was nice. But on some other 810 cabs it was WAY to much down low and I couldnt' dial it out.

More testing is in order...

If you're comparing the GK to the Shuttle, I found the Shuttle
seriously lacking lows. In direct comparison to the LMII, the
mb2-500 sounded bigger overall. Not just more lows, but more
everything. Even at the same volume. I have only checked it
out in the store and not in a "real" situation, so I'll reserve my
final opinion till then. It did have a slightly darker sound than
the LMII though. Not as flat sounding.

 

[basss]

One man's this is another man's that

almost rendering talkbass moot

 

[deekay911]

One man's this is another man's that

almost rendering talkbass moot

Yep, you can always find someone telling you what you want to hear, and someone else with an opposite opinion. Wouldn't it be boring if we all thought the same way?